VPT 421: Veterinary Toxicology (2+0)

MECHANISM OF ACTION

• Carbamates cause reversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (unlike organophosphorus compounds which cause irreversible inhibition). But in the insects this is not reversible because the enzyme is cleaved in the process of carbamylation.
• In addition they inhibit aliesterase enzyme in insects.
• Carbamate complexes with acetylcholinesterase and the complex is known as carbamylated enzyme.
• This undergoes hydrolysis or decarbamylation and the enzyme is released.